Denver Broncos defensive linemen Robert Ayers and Kevin Vickerson apply pressure to the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning during the first quarter of play Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Invesco Field at Mile High. Photo by John Leyba, The Denver Post

Denver Broncos running back Laurence Maroney can't quite make it in for the touchdown as the play was challenged and reversed during the second quarter of play Indianapolis Colts Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Invesco Field at Mile High. Photo by Andy Cross, The Denver Post

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd leaps for a 48 yd touchdown being defended by the Indianapolis Colts' Jerraud Powers during the third quarter of play Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Invesco Field at Mile High. Photo by Andy Cross, The Denver Post

The Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels watches as the team fails in the 4th quarter vs the Indianapolis Colts at INVESCO Field at Mile High Sunday, 09- 26, 2010. Joe Amon/ The Denver Post

Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams greets fans as the team takes the field on a sun-splashed autumn Sunday.

Colts defensive end Keyunta Dawson licks his chops while waiting in the tunnel before the game at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium.

The Broncos' Kevin Vickerson (99) and Robert Ayers pressure Colts quarterback Peyton Manning into throwing the ball early during the first quarter. The Broncos didn't get a sack in the game.

The Broncos' Laurence Maroney is tackled for no gain just short of the goal line on a fourth-down play in the second quarter Sunday.

Next, Martindale wanted to take away Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, the two most lethal of Manning’s four targets. Champ Bailey took care of Wayne, who, with an oft-double-covered Clark, combined for 109 yards receiving, or a pedestrian average of 54.5. Check.

That left Manning pretty much isolated to defeat the Broncos by himself. Check?

No check. Some tasks are easier to complete than others. Mostly because when it comes to passing, nobody outpasses Manning, the Colts beat the Broncos 27-13 on a spectacularly sunny and warm Sunday afternoon at Invesco Field at Mile High.

“There’s a reason why he does Gatorade commercials,” Martindale said. “And it’s not his looks.”

Between Passing Peyton and Air Orton, this was the most prolific passing game in the young NFL season. Combined, the teams accounted for 797 yards passing and 87 yards rushing.

The old motto of 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust has been replaced by the 800-80 rule.

“People say it’s a passing league and all that,” Manning said. “I’m not one to have a full analysis of the league. All I know is what we do as an offense and we try to be balanced.”

There were good reasons for Manning and Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton to hand over the game to their running backs.

The Colts dressed only three receivers for Manning to target, one of whom was undrafted rookie Blair White, who was just called up from the practice squad.

Having the same receivers sprint route after route, in the mile-high altitude, figured to be a formula for fourth-quarter fatigue.

The Broncos had a far more uncomplicated reason to aid Orton with a running attack: The Colts can’t stop the run.

Pregame plans, though, inevitably dissolve into: You are what you are.

The final stats were stunningly lopsided. The Colts, so thin at receiver, gained a mere 29 yards in 13 carries from their leading ball carrier, Joseph Addai.

“It’s not like we weren’t trying to run it,” Manning said. “We were trying to run it. I don’t know how many attempts we had. We gave it a shot. We didn’t just abandon it. It just wasn’t our day in the running game.”

The Broncos gave new running back Laurence Maroney a try. Filling in for the injured Knowshon Moreno, Maroney led the Broncos with 24 yards and 12 carries, which was all too typical of their season-long rushing deficiency.

“We would have liked to have run the ball, but then we got down 13-0 and we started making some plays in the passing game,” Orton said. “Hopefully, we learned something from that team today. They’ve got the recipe. Peyton’s a great player, they’ve got a great offense and they’re great at taking what the defense gives them.”

Manning warmed up by testing Bailey early. Bailey was playing despite a right heel injury that had him hobbling away from Invesco Field on crutches just seven days earlier.

Later, Manning clearly started picking on rookie Perrish Cox, who was subbing for the injured Andre Goodman. The result was an enormous second half for receiver Austin Collie.

The former Brigham Young star had eight catches for 144 yards after intermission.

“I don’t know if we threw to a certain corner or away from a certain corner,” Manning said. “Kind of followed the progression of the plays.”

Uh-huh. All that was missing from that statement was that fake mustache Manning wears in another commercial.

In defeat, Orton threw for a career- high 476 yards. Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney put up phenomenal numbers, combining for 18 catches and 309 yards.

Yet, the Broncos weren’t all that close to winning because of two turnovers that led to 10 Colts points. Because they failed in four attempts to score from the Colts’ 1-yard line. And because they turned over the ball again on downs in the red zone in the fourth quarter.

And they lost because when the score was 20-13, with 7:32 remaining and the Colts facing a third-and-15 at their own 17, Manning threw a perfect deep pass to Collie that beat Cox for a 48-yard gain.

Mike Klis was with The Denver Post from Jan. 1, 1998 before leaving in 2015 to join KUSA 9News. He covered the Rockies and Major League Baseball until the 2005 All-Star break, when he was asked to start covering the Broncos.

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